Leveling and contouring apparatus



Oct 2, 1951 F. w. HECKERT EI'AL LEVELING AND CONTOURING APPARATUS Filed April 1 FREDERICK w. HEC fi E% %ED By HARE: W.LAI \E.

Tl/F/ flfl' Patentecl Oct. ,2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Frederick W. Heckert and Harry W. Lake, Dayton, Ohio Application April 1, 1949, Serial No. 84,859

Claims. (01. 33-209) This invention relates to a leveling device and more particularly to a device especially suitable for use on road rollers, bulldozers, tractors, and the like used in contouring and contour plowing.

This invention constitutes an improvement overv the level shown in the copending application Serial Number 6,836 filed February '7, 1948, by Robert C. Nevin, and other leveling devices which have been used from time to time.

Various types of leveling devices have been,

present in designing a level of this type which,

are not present in ordinary leveling devices. In the first place, the level is usually adapted to be mounted on a machine which jogs along over rough terrain and consequently conventional levels would give false indications or the indicator thereof would be bobbing up and down so much that its movement would not mean anything. Also many of the leveling devices which have been proposed have small scales which are hard to see and result in fatigue to the eyes on the part of the operator who must closely watch the level indicator much of the time.

It is an object of this invention to providean instrument in which means is provided for dampening the indicating element so as to avoid false indications resulting from traveling over small bumps and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an indicator which avoids needless eyestrain such as results from trying to observe a poorly designed scale or a scale which is mounted close to the operator. Since the operator must watch both the scale and the ground ahead, it is obvious that if the scale is close to the operator, it will necessitate frequent refocusing of the eyes each time the operator looks from the close-up scale to the more distant terrain over which the vehicle must be guided. Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a level indicating instrument having a magnifying device for the scale so that the instrument can be placed at the, front end of the tractor or the like or far enough away from the operator to make it possible for the operator to observe both the indicator and the ground ahead without any appreciable refocusing of the eyes.

Since instruments of this type are called upon to be used out in the hot sun and also in subzero weather, they must be unaffected by extreme temperature changes. It is an object of this invention to provide an instrument which is provided with an inexpensive arrangement for compensating for such temperature changes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a compact, inexpensive, yet reliable, level indicating instrument.

Still another object of this invention is to providean improved mounting arrangement for the level indicator which is so designed as to make it possible to shift the effective zero setting of the instrumentwhen it is desired to operate the tractor or the like on a given incline.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, showing a preferred embodiment of our invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, with parts broken away, showing the construction of the scale in relationship to the level indicator; and

Figure 4 is a plan View, largely diagrammatic,

showing the location of the indicator on a conventional tractor such as used in contour plowing.

Referring now to the drawing wherein we have shown a preferred embodiment of our invention, reference numeral Ill designates a housing or main frame which is preferably made of cast aluminum or some similar inexpensive light weight material capable of standing up under various climatic conditions. The main housing I0 serves to support an inner frame I2 which in turn supports a continuous section of tubing [4 which is constructed and arranged as shown. The side wall of the housing I0 is provided with integrally formed embossed portions It provided with tapped recesses for receiving the cap screws I8 which serve to hold the inner frame l2 in the correct adjustment within the housing iii.

In referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the tube I4 is held in place on the inner frame l2 by means of strap members 20. Suitable slots 24 are provided which allow a limited amount of relative movement between the mounting straps 20 and the associated cap screws l8 which hold the inner frame l2 and the strap member 20 in assembled relationship on the main frame II].

A removable cover I I has been provided for enclosing the mechanism disposed within the main frame H). In referring to Figure 2 of the drawing, it will be observed that the main frame or housing In is tapered, with the result that it is much narrower at the one end than at the other end.

The tube 14 is adapted to be partially filled with a suitable liquid which is used for indicating to the operator of a tractor or the like when the tractoris .moving along a slope at a constant level orat a given deviation from the level. In order to avoid surges due to minor jarring of the instrument in use, the tube It is provided with a restricted portion 28 in its bottom leg. This restricted portion preferably extendsfor a distance of approximately fourinches and serves to control the rate of liquid column surge. The upper passage of the tube 14 has been designated by the reference numeral 30 and is arranged at a slight incline for the purpose of providing good drainage for any of the liquid that might momentarily flow into the upper leg of the tube gafter theinstrumenthas been tilted an excessive amount.

A scale 4-8 "has been provideddirectly behind the-oneleg of the tube M. The scale Misprovided with suitable indicia which for thepurposes of illustration are in terms 'of degrees.

When the instrument is held in a perfectly level position, theliquid-ZS within the tube 44 will be at a level directly oppositethe zero mark'on the --scale 48;butas the instrument is tilted, the liquid "level 'will either rise or 'fall, depending'upon the direction in which the instrument is tilted and the number of degrees which the instrument is tilted will *be'in'dicate'd by the deviation -in the -liquid level from the zero mark. Thus,'if the virtue of *this arrangement, the device ;.can .be

used both day and night with ..a minimum amount of eyestrain. Side windows 56 havezbeen provided directly .in front of the ,scale set, as shown; so; as to-provide for improved daylight illuminationof :the-scale. switch 1:518 has :been

provided forturning on and ofiz the light15 l-so that when the instrument iiS' not-in use and .When :the daylight is adequate for illuminating the :scale 10,*the'light F54 maypbe :turned .off.

II-n order to compensate @for changes (in ;liquid level within the tube IA which rnay'result.from :expansion or contraction-of the liquid :within :the tube t4, tthere is :provided :a pair .of {bimetallic supporting:ele-ments; 46 "for the, scale-.14!) which ;an- "tomatically :adjust "the position of the'scale an amount :sufficient tocompensate for .any. change in the liquid level within the tube Hi resulting "from temperature changes.

ure 1 of the drawing,.the scale w is provided with four apertures 12 through which "the hooked ends 44 of bimetallic elements 45 pass. The inner 'ends'of the bimetallic elements 46 are held -in fixed relationship relative to 'the inner scale 40. 'Thebimetallic elements dfi are-so ar- As indicated in'F-ig- 4 ranged that as the ambient air temperature increases, the scale 40 will be elevated an amount sufficient to compensate for the change in the volume of liquid within the glass tube 14.

Adjustable stops have been provided, as shown, for limiting the movement of the scale 40. These stops are adjustable screws which ,serve to prevent excessive shifting of the scale 40 at the extreme temperature ranges.

The instrument design shown and described herein makes it possible to mount the instrument in a very narrow case whereby it ofiers a minimum amount of obstruction to the view ahead. Furthermore, the enlarging lens 50 makes it possible to mount the instrument adjacent the front end of the tractor or other vehicle on' which itis to be used, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, so as not to unduly obstruct the operator's View of the ground ahead and so as to eliminate the need for the operator to look to one side :or :the other or materially zrefocus his eyes whilelsteering.

*Since 'there may' be times :when it issdesired'ito construct a'terrace ortheflike having 'arpredetermined number .of degrees .slope, *there tis :provided an adjustable :mounting .means for rais- "ing and lowering .-.one :zend of the :housing H10. This adjusting :means comprises :a threaded. stud 32 carried directly why the housing 2| flrwhich scooperates=with a calibrated nutefi i journalled in a stationary bracket :66 which 'is :adapted gto ,be secured directly 'to :the tractor .or other -.vehicle on whichthe ,instrument;is:m-ounted. Thesnut i513 is'provided With1.indicia-;G3 which {facilitates making exact adjustments. A lpointer J0 tearried by the stationaryibracket-fit isyarranged-.-ad- 'jacent :the indicia 163 as shown.

'While .the apparatus shown hereinis primarily :intended :for "giving visual indicationpf any-deviationfrom ,a givlen rstand-ard grade. for g i "the operator, :itfiS obvious that the-instrument could be used-equally -well in combination with "automatic mechanism for steering and/.or .--ad- :justing the angle of some contouring element :such as the3-blade of a bulldozer.

lies-indicated in Figure :3 .of the drawing -.(-for :purposes'rof illustrating one possible electrical control circuit), the one portion of the tube-has been provided with electric terminals or '-con- ,nect the lower terminal -82 .to' one side; of.;a source of power, "such :asthe battery 34, and to have the liquid .close the circuit from thecontact-fiz .tosone or both of thecontactsfio and 8 l With the liquid ,level as indicated in Figure 3 of the-drawings,

rcurrent'will be-suppliedrto the 1amp=8.-5-which-may be located in any suitable place on :the vehicle. ,In the event that the vehicle travels .up a hill having a grade sufficient to cause the liquid in the tube to reach the contact 80, the light 88 :will also be energized. Likewise, if the vehicle goes down a steep enough incline, the acircuitztoboth lights 86 and 88 will be broken. For purposes of illustration, the contacts and BI have been shown as locatedfour spacesfrom the'zero mark, whereas these contacts could be placed at any desired distance from the zero mark or even at the zero mark, depending upon the DLlIpOSe'lEO be served.

Although the preferred embodiment Of the device has been described, 'it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a level, an outer housing, an inner frame, means for supporting said inner frame within said outer housing, a tube, means for adjustably supporting said tube on said inner frame, said tube being partially filled with liquid and having a pair of vertically disposed portions connected into a continuous loop by means of upper and lower connecting tube portions, one of said vertical portions being shorter than the other vertical portion, a scale disposed adjacent the longer of said vertical portions, and bimetallic thermostatic means secured to said inner frame and having freely movable portions constituting the sole means for supporting said scale, said therm0- static means serving to adjust the position of said Scale relative to said liquid so as to compensate for changes in the volume of liquid resulting from temperature changes.

2. In a level, an outer housing, an inner frame, means for supporting said inner frame within said outer housing, a tube, means for adjustably supporting said tube on said inner frame, said tube being partially filled with liquid and having a pair of vertically disposed portions connected into a continuous loop by means of upper and lower connecting tube portions, one of said vertical portions being shorter than the other vertical portion, a scale disposed adjacent the longer of said vertical portions, bimetallic thermostatic means secured to said inner frame and having freely movable portions constituting the sole means for supporting said scale, said thermostatic means serving to adjust the position of said scale relative to said liquid so as to compensate for changes in the volume of liquid resulting from temperature changes, and adjustable stop means carried by said outer housing for limiting the movement of said scale.

3. In a grade indicator level for mounting on the front end of a tractor, a relatively long and narrow one piece cast metal outer housing, said housing being narrower at the oneend than at the other end, an inner frame supported within said outer housing, a transparent tube partially filled with a liquid supported on said inner frame and having a vertical portion adjacent the widest end of said outer housing, a scale supported by said inner frame adjacent said vertical portion for indicating the liquid level in said one portion, said outer housing having a window in said widest end through which said scale and the liquid level in said tube may be observed, and a lens in said window for magnifying said scale.

4. In combination with a tractor having a drivers seat towards the rear thereof, a level,

means for supporting said level in a predetermined position adjacent the front end of said tractor, said level comprising a relatively long and narrow housing adapted to be mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially in alignment with the normal direction of travel of said tractor, said housing being narrower at the front end than at the rear end, said level comprising a tube partially filled with a liquid and having a vertical portion arranged adjacent the rear end of said housing, a scale adjacent said tube for indicating the deviation of the liquid level from a given normal, a window in the rear end of said housing through which said scale and the liquid level in said tube may be observed, and a lens in said window for magnifying said scale.

5. A device for use on the front end of a tractor comprising in combination, a relatively long and narrow housing adapted to be mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially in alignment with the normal direction of travel of the tractor, said housing being narrower at the front end than at the rear end, a tube partially filled with a liquid and having a vertical portion arranged adjacent the rear end of said housing, means for adjustably supporting said tube within said housing, a scale adjacent said tube for indicating the deviation of the liquid level from a given normal, a window in the rear end of said housing through which said scale and the liquid level in said tube may be observed, and a lens in said window for magnifying said scale.

FREDERICK W. HECKERT. HARRY W. LAKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 631,976 Whittemore Aug. 29, 1899 794,697 Beck July 11, 1905 1,261,776 DAscanio Apr. 9, 1918 1,305,935 Rieker June 3, 1919 1,375,278 Clayton Apr. 19, 1921 1,970,883 Bryant Aug. 21, 1934 2,002,183 Lecarpentier May 21, 1935 2,019,178 Elsom Oct. 29, 1935 2,267,115 Linebarger Dec. 23, 1941 2,292,241 Reeves Aug. 4, 19 2 2,335,893 Altenberg Dec. 7, 1943 2,350,240 Leister May 30, 1944 2,353,911 Leveille July 18, 1944 2,362,325 Thurmond Nov. 7, 1944 2,379,350. Gubrud June 26, 945

2,477,927 Hanson Aug. 2, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 319,815 Germany 1917 489,706 Great Britain 1938 

